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TRANSCRIPT
RESERVES AND RESOURCES IN THE
SAN MARTIN MINE, MEXICO
AS OF JULY 31, 2014
FOR
STARCORE INTERNATIONAL MINES LTD.
October 6, 2014
prepared by
David R. Gunning, P. Eng. Joseph W. Campbell, P. Geo.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
1. SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................3
2. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................10
2.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................10
2.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE ...............................................................................10
2.3 UNITS AND CURRENCY ..............................................................................11
3. RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS ........................................................................11
3.1 DISCLAIMER ..................................................................................................12
4. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION ...................................................12
4.1 LOCATION ......................................................................................................12
4.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION ...........................................................................14
5. ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY ......................................................16
5.1 ACCESS ............................................................................................................16
5.2 CLIMATE .........................................................................................................16
5.3 LOCAL RESOURCES .....................................................................................16
5.4 INFRASTRUCTURE .......................................................................................17
5.5 PHYSIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................17
6. HISTORY ....................................................................................................................17
7. GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION .........................................20
8. DEPOSIT TYPE .........................................................................................................23
9. EXPLORATION .........................................................................................................25
10. DRILLING ..................................................................................................................26
11. SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY ..................................26
12. DATA VERIFICATION ............................................................................................28
12.1 PENBER LABORATORY ...............................................................................28
12.2 GEOSTANDARDS REVIEW ..........................................................................28
12.3 SPECIFIC GRAVITY TESTING .....................................................................28
13. MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING .......................28
14. MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES ....................................................................29
15. MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES .......................................................................31
15.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................31
15.2 RESERVE APPROACH ...................................................................................32
15.3 DEFINITIONS ..................................................................................................39
16. MINING OPERATIONS ...........................................................................................40
17. RECOVERY METHODS ..........................................................................................41
18. PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE ..............................................................................41
19. MARKET STUDIES AND CONTRACTS ...............................................................42
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20. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY IMPACT ...........................................................................................42
20.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................42
20.2 TAILINGS DAM CONSTRUCTION AND SEEPAGE ..................................43
20.3 TAILINGS FILTRATION ................................................................................43
21. CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS ....................................................................44
22. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ...........................................................................................44
23. ADJACENT PROPERTIES ......................................................................................44
24. OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION ............................................44
25. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS ..........................................................45
26. RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................46
27. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................48
APPENDIX I RESERVE BLOCKS BY MINE AREA .......................................................52
LIST OF TABLES 1. San Martin mine, concession information .................................................................... 14 2. San Martin Mine, Historic Production (1994-July 31st, 2013) ..................................... 19 3. San Martin Mine Inferred Mineral Resources (as of July 31st, 2013) ........................... 30 4. San Martin Mine Summary of Ore Reserves (as of July 31st, 2013) ............................ 35 5. Summary Comparison of 2012 Proven and Probable Reserves with Production, From August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013 .......................................................................... 36 6. Reconciliation of August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013 Mine Production taken from the
July 2012 Proven and Probable Reserves, by Stope Name and Reserve Area ............. 38
LIST OF FIGURES 1. Location map, San Martin project ...................................................................................... 13 2. Concession map, San Martin Mine .................................................................................... 15 3. Infrastructure of San Martin project ................................................................................... 18 4. Generalized geologic map of San Martin ........................................................................... 21 5. Litho-stratigraphic column of San Martin mine ................................................................. 22 6. General Mine Plan .............................................................................................................. 24
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1. SUMMARY
Starcore International Mines Ltd. (“Starcore”) estimates the reserves and resources for the San
Martin mine effective as of July 31 of each year to match its fiscal year. Mine personnel have
prepared this report under the direction of David R. Gunning P. Eng, and the results of this
work was modified and verified by Joseph W. Campbell P. Geo. in compliance with National
Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) on the San Martin Project in the State of Querétaro, Mexico.
Mr. Gunning is the Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Starcore and is a Qualified
Person (“QP”) as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Campbell is an independent QP as defined by NI
43-101. While relying on mine staff and other experts for information contained in this report,
particularly Oscar Zarate, Chief Geologist at the San Martin Mine who is not independent and
not qualified as a QP under NI 43-101, Mr. Gunning and Mr. Campbell take full
responsibility for all aspects of this report. This report follows previous reports by Mr.
Gunning in 2013 and earlier reports co-written with Mr. Joe Campbell P. Geo. for the reserves
as of July 31st, 2011 and by Mr. Campbell as of July 31st, 2012.
Starcore acquired the San Martin Mine (“San Martin”) from Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”) in
February 2007. Goldcorp is a Canadian mining company listed on both Canadian and United
States Stock Exchanges. Goldcorp acquired the San Martin Project in February 2005 with the
take-over of Wheaton River Minerals Ltd., who had acquired San Martin in the take-over in
2002 of the Mexican mining company Minas Luismin S.A. de C.V. (“Luismin”). San Martin
is owned and operated by Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal, S.A. de C.V., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Starcore.
The project is located northwest of Mexico City, some 50 km east of the City of Querétaro, in
the State of Querétaro (Figure 1). The mine is near the towns of Tequisquiapan and Ezequiel
Montes, and is immediately to the north of the town of San Martin, which has a population of
approximately 2,000. Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal S.A. de C.V., a wholly owned
Starcore subsidiary, holds the mining concessions covering 12,992 ha at San Martin
(Figure 2). The lease and land status information on San Martin and the information as
reported herein was subject to a legal title report by RB abogados of Mexico City (July 19,
2012) and found to be in good standing until at least the year 2041, subject to payment of
applicable taxes and royalties. Previous authors accepted this report as evidence of property
ownership by Starcore International Mines Ltd and property tax payments have been made as
of the date of this report.
4
The San Martin Project presently consists of two underground mines, San José and San
Martin. The San Martin deposit/mine is approximately 700 m NNE of the San José
deposit/mine and lies predominantly below claims 1, 2, 4, and 5, shown in the table on
page 15 and in Figure 2 (page 16). One 63 hectare parcel of surface rights is a part of the
property, known as “Terrenos” that cover the offices and mine entrance. The rest of the
property is overlain by surface rights rented from individuals and an ejido (common land)
based in the town of San Martin.
The infrastructure at San Martin is typical of a small mining operation and the site includes
mine offices, repair shops, laboratory, warehouse and eating facilities for mine personnel
(Figure 3). The mine and mill are connected to the electric grid and the mine produces more
than enough water for milling operations. Electrical power is supplied by the Federal Power
Commission however the mine has a secondary electricity generating system with at least
500kW capacity to supply power to the mill during a power failure and during the peak
supply times when prices are higher.
The deposit was discovered in the eighteenth century and high grade mineralization
reportedly was exploited by the Spaniards for approximately 40 years, however no production
records exist. The first records show the Ajuchitlan Mining and Milling Company produced
an estimated 250 thousand tonnes at a grade of 15 g Au/t and 100 g Ag/t during 1900 to 1924.
In 1982, Mexico declared a 6,300 ha National Reserve over the area surrounding the Peña de
Bernal but by 1986 Luismin had reached an agreement to work in the National Reserve and
initiated an exploration program in 1988.
Mining began in 1993 at 300 tpd, and in early 1994, production began from open pit
operations on the San José deposit. The table below illustrates production for the period 1994
to July 2014.
5
SAN MARTIN MINE, HISTORIC PRODUCTION (1994 to July 31st 2014)
Year Historic Annual Tonnes Grade Production oz. Eq. Au Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
1993 1,707 - - - 1994 14,298 134,118 3.19 35 1995 17,068 146,774 3.54 39 1996 21,620 187,691 3.40 44 1997 24,570 219,827 3.27 43 1998 27,539 224,279 3.45 50 1999 29,624 242,295 3.46 46 2000 35,571 284,490 3.60 55 2001 38,068 287,520 3.74 66 2002 41,124 268,451 4.26 71 2003 42,692 276,481 4.29 82 2004 44,377 272,734 4.47 83 2005 38,543 282,392 3.89 65 2006 26,529 278,914 3.20 60 2007 29,606 252,400 3.34 49 2008 21,367 266,600 2.50 32 2009 21,696 272,856 2.44 33 2010 18,156 275,290 2.03 31 2011 23,736 296,845 2.14 38 2012 19,213 309,796 2.09 25 2013 24,424
306,941 2.58 24
Jan-July 2014 13,016
179,662 2.39 24
TOTAL 574,544 5,266,356
The San Jose open pit operated for several years until the operation made the transition to the
mining of the relatively higher grade “manto” style orebodies found near the contact with the
dacite flows and the underlying rocks. In the year 2000 the operation began mining some of
the steeply dipping vein structures known as tronco deposits. Over the last 14 years that
mining has at times been predominantly from tronco deposits.
Over the period August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014 the mine operated at an average 846 tpd
using mechanized mining equipment such as single boom jumbos, 3.5 yard scooptrams and 10
to 20 tonne haulage trucks. Conventional jackleg drills are still used in some of the mine
headings.
The mineralization at San Martin occurs in a tabular breccia zone striking northeast and
dipping 50° to 90°SE (Figure 4 shows the mine workings along with the local geology). It
occurs within Upper Cretaceous black limestones and calcareous shales of the Soyatal
Mexcala Formation and varies in width from 1 to 17 m but averages about 4 m (Figure 5).
The breccia zone appears in a structural window on the western hillside which is composed
primarily of a Tertiary Rhyolite/Dacite.
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The San Martin zone appears to predate the late stage Tertiary dacitic flows which cover the
local hillsides but may be related to andesitic intrusive which form the Peña de Bernal and
have been seen in the deepest San Jose workings. The most developed area of the mine, the
San Martin area, has developed 400 meters down dip along a breccia structure formed at the
location where older limestones have been thrust upon younger shales.
To the north other predominantly manto deposits have been found along a more northerly
direction over several kilometres. The San Jose I, San Martin, and 28 orebodies seem to share
the northeasterly strike whereas the San Jose II, 29, 30 and 31 orebodies have a more
northerly strike. Post-mineral faulting has resulted in vertical offsets up to 100 m and
horizontal offsets to 500 m along several major faults which form the boundaries for the
named orebodies or areas.
The deposit has been described as an epithermal, probably a low sulphidation precious metal
(Ag-Au) type, related to a Tertiary dacitic/andesite dome. Recent work has failed to locate a
postulated dome and mineralization in the troncos may be more mesothermal or fault related.
Mineralization occurs as native gold, electrum, naumannite (Ag2Se) and argentojarosite
(AgFe3(SO4)2(OH)6) associated principally with quartz and lesser calcite. The silver
contained in argentojarosite is not recoverable with cyanidation.
It appears that the northeast trending San Martin breccias tronco is related to a thrust fault of
limestone upon the younger shales (Rankin 2008). The structure varies in dip from 45
degrees in the lower levels to 70 degrees in the upper levels. Above Level 1 the tronco
flattens to the manto deposits which tend to occur along the limestone/shale contact overlain
by dacite and rhyolite flows above. This is similar to the structure present in the San Jose
deposit except that in the latter case the mantos appear to have been eroded as there are no
dacitic rocks capping the limestones. A general mine plan and section is shown as Figure 6. In
2012, a flat lying wide zone of stockwork and vein structures was discovered in the footwall
of the San Martin vein, and this added substantially to reserves in this area. This area is now
referred to as the San Martin footwall area.
Troncos with a more northerly alignment are present in orebodies San Jose II, and 29 and so
far the different direction has not been explained structurally. The mantos in area 29 as well
as those found in areas 30 and 31 seem to be aligned in this northerly direction as well.
7
In addition to the manto, tronco and vein style mineralization there is at least one instance
where ore grade mineralization has been dragged along, or deposited along one of the
principal faults dividing area 28 from area 29. There are also a few locations where
stockwork zones occur in the troncos and economic mineralization extends over widths of
more than 20 meters which is currently being exploited in the hangingwall of some past
producing tronco stopes. Exploration in 2010 discovered the SAM vein which is a northerly
trending vein that is steeper (near vertical) at shallower depths and to the west, but has rotated
into a wider sub-horizontal zone as it trends to the north and dips down to the east.
Again in area 29 an extension to the Pilotos mantos stopes was found to the west which
greatly aided the production grade in 2011. Although this ore zone is exhausted the workings
rehabilitated in the area are being utilized to recover pillars with above average grades.
Assayed samples used in generating these reserves and resources are collected under the
direction of the Geological Department and delivered to the mine lab tagged and bagged. In
general individual samples do not exceed 1.5m in length and are generally not less than 0.2 m.
All samples are prepared and assayed in the on-site assay lab. David Chiu of Inspectorate
laboratories in Vancouver has inspected the mine lab facilities and has provided procedures,
flux recipes and feedback on all laboratory equipment. The assay results are recorded by
geological staff and in the case of diamond drill core samples any pulps returning more than
1 g/t gold are sent to Chemex for check assays. The mine has been awarded the Mexican
Quality Award which is similar to International Standards ISO 9001 for quality control in the
overall mining operations.
Mr. Gunning visits the San Martin Mine regularly every month and has done so since 2009.
Mr. Gunning is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Campbell
visited the San Martin Mine from August 18th to 22nd 2014, and has previously visited the
mine on multiple occasions between 2010 and 2012. Mr. Campbell is an independent
Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. This Mineral Resource/Reserve
estimate is effective as of July 31, 2014, and follows the previous independent
Resource/reserve estimate made July 31, 2013. Previous audits of Luismin's operations as of
December 31, 2001; December 31, 2002; and, August 31, 2004 were performed by Watts
Griffis McOuat. Prior to 2001, Pincock, Allen & Holt had conducted independent audits in
the years 1998, 1999 and 2000.
The terminology used by the mine to designate Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
and Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves is in general agreement with the Canadian
8
Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM Standards”) as adopted in NI 43-
101 as is the Inferred Resources category.
In the years prior to mining by Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal reserve and resource
estimates were based on the assumptions and subject to rules defined by Luismin many years
ago. In recent years, with the involvement of various professionals, it was recognized that
mining methodology was changing due to factors such as:
• a greater percentage of production coming from narrow steeply dipping vein
structures
• Sub-horizontal Mantos mineralized structures that were somewhat narrower than
historical Mantos
• Reopening and scavenging of the hangingwall mineralization in old stopes where
lower grade mineralization was not mined during times of lower gold prices.
Based on the above mining changes, and incorporating mining experience over the last 6
years some of the original Luismin assumptions have been modified to improve tonnage and
grade estimation for reserves. The assumptions used in this estimate are:
• A gold price of $1250 per ounce.
• A silver price of $19.23 per ounce.
• First half 2014 operating costs of $74 per metric dry tonne.
• Average metallurgical recoveries of 86% for gold and 52% for silver.
• Using the above price and cost assumptions the resultant calculated cutoff grade is
approximately 2.2 g/t Au equivalent.
• Specific gravity of 2.6 has been applied to all calculated mineralized volumes.
• Mining dilution is applied to in situ mineralized zones, and recovery factors are
applied to these diluted blocks using the following factors:
o Mining dilution of 10% of zero grade in horizontal mineralized zones (Mantos)
mined by room and pillar.
o Mining dilution of 10% of zero grade in steeply dipping mineralized zones
mined by cut and fill. This dilution factor is modified by first applying a
minimum 2 meter mining width to narrow zones. This has resulted in up to
30% dilution for narrower cut and fill vein style (Tronco) mineralized zones.
o Remnant pillars left in room and pillar stopes are typically 20% of the total
tonnage, i.e. 80% extraction. This recovery factor has been applied to sub-
horizontal mineralized zones.
9
In addition to these factors reserve grades are lowered to reflect mined grades in ore blocks
that have sufficient historical production to establish that mined grades are lower than
estimated from exploration data. The reserves and resources estimated in this report are based
on data available up until July 31, 2014.
Total Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the San Martin mine as of July 31, 2014
estimated by mine staff and reviewed by David R. Gunning, P. Eng., and Joseph W.
Campbell, P.Geo, are 486,586 tonnes at a grade of 2.31 g Au/t and 18.5 g Ag/t (Table 5).
This total includes Proven reserves of 179,589 tonnes grading 2.33 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag along
with Probable reserves of 306,997 tonnes grading 2.30 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag. In addition to
this reserve is 181,546 tonnes at a grade of 2.98 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag which is hosted in
carbonaceous limestone and needs some capital investment in the mill to enable normal
recovery. Until the costs and recoveries are better understood this material is uncategorized at
the moment. There exists sufficient non-carbonaceous ore to operate for one and a half years,
which should be enough time to enable the installation of the required metallurgical changes
in the plant.
Total Inferred Mineral Resources at the San Martin mine (excluding San Pedrito) are
estimated to be 898,049 tonnes at a grade of 2.15 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag. Inferred Mineral
Resources are not known to the same degree of certainty as Mineral Reserves and do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
No reserves or resources have been defined north of Area 31.
The authors believe that the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates fairly represent
the Mineral Reserve/Mineral Resource potential of the property. The previous NI43-101
compliant estimation prepared was as of July 31, 2013 by David Gunning P. Eng. who
reported total reserves of 705,998 tonnes at a grade of 2.53 g Au/t and 23.6 g Ag/t. This total
included Proven reserves of 334,271 tonnes grading 2.40 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag along with
Probable reserves of 371,727 tonnes grading 2.61 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag. In addition to this
reserve 174,683 tonnes at a grade of 2.67 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag was reported but not
categorized as reserve as it is hosted in carbonaceous limestone and needs capital investment
in the mill to enable normal metal recovery. This capital has not yet been committed.
Mill production from the period August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014 has been 308,610 tonnes
grading 2.55 g Au/t and 24.2 g Ag/t.
10
Close monitoring and mentoring of the mine staff in recent months has made progress in mine
planning but continued improvement is possible in the mine planning, budgeting, and grade
control systems at the mine. The budget for future exploration programs on the property will
depend on the success of grade control and the ability to maintain profitability.
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 GENERAL
The following report has been prepared by Starcore International Mines Ltd. (“Starcore”) in
compliance with National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) on the San Martin Project in the
State of Querétaro, Mexico. The report follows earlier reports written for reserves as of
July 31, 2011 and 2012 and is based on data collected at the mine and prepared by mine
geological staff under the direction of geologist Oscar Zarate. Overall direction of the
preparation of the report and verification of data and estimations is by authors David R.
Gunning P. Eng, and Joseph W. Campbell, P. Geo.
Starcore is listed on the TSX-V Exchange as SAM with its head office located at
750-580 Hornby St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 3B6. Starcore purchased the San Martin mine
from Goldcorp Inc. in February of 2007, and has operated it continuously since that time.
2.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The purpose of the report is to summarize the Reserves and Resources within the mine
property as of July 31, 2014. The material is prepared in compliance with NI 43-101.
The San Martin Project is one of five operating silver-gold mines, acquired by Goldcorp in
2002, with the acquisition of the shares of the Mexican mining company, Minas Luismin
S.A. de C.V. (“Luismin”). The San Martin Project is an underground operation using
primarily mechanized cut-and-fill mining methods. The ore is then processed by fine
crushing, ball milling and tower milling followed by whole ore cyanide leaching, with Au and
Ag recovered with zinc precipitation and refined to doré on site.
The San Martin Mine was purchased from Goldcorp by Starcore in early 2007 and is owned
and operated by Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal, S.A. de C.V. a wholly owned subsidiary
of Starcore.
11
A NI 43-101 report titled “A Technical Review of San Martin Project, Mexico for Starcore
International Ventures Ltd. and Investec Bank (UK) Limited.” (“the WGM”) was prepared on
February 1, 2007 by Velasquez Spring of Watts Griffiths and McOuat.
This Report is compiled from updated mine data and from regular monthly visits to the San
Martin mine by Mr. Gunning for the past 4 years, and by multiple annual visits to the mine by
Mr. Campbell through the period 2010-2012 and from August 18 to 22, 2014.
The San Martin mine has maintained consistent procedures for estimating reserves and
resources since before production began in 1994. WGM has reported the Reserves and
Resources for the mine for Luismin, Goldcorp and Starcore in 2006 and 2007 and in those
reports studied and summarized the Mineral Resource/Reserve estimating procedures.
Comment on these reports can be found in the July 1, 2009 NI43-101 report.
2.3 UNITS AND CURRENCY
Throughout this report common measurements are in metric units. Tonnages are shown as
tonnes (1,000 kg), linear measurements as metres (“m”), or kilometres (“km”) and precious
metal values as grams (“g”), grams of gold per tonne (“g Au/t”), and grams of silver per
tonne (“g Ag/t”).
All economic data is quoted in US dollars (“US$”). When peso amounts required conversion
into US dollars, the peso exchange rate used was 12.5 pesos equivalent to US$1.00 as this was
the rate used in the 2014 mine operating budget.
3. RELIANCE ON OTHER EXPERTS
Starcore retains legal counsel in Mexico which maintain the permits and property in good
standing. The authors have relied on a Mining Concession Legal Title Report dated July 19,
2012, by RB Abogados of Mexico City along with statements from the accounting department
showing that the annual payments were made.
This report or portions of this report are not to be reproduced or used for any purpose other
than to fulfil Starcore's obligations pursuant to Canadian provincial securities legislation,
including disclosure on SEDAR.
12
This report has been prepared using the resource materials, reports and documents as noted in
the text and “References” at the end of this report. The authors conducted an audit of the
methods, parameters and documentation used and prepared by mine personnel in the
preparation of its Mineral Resource/Reserve estimates for the zones comprising the San
Martin Project, including selected reproduction of mathematical calculations.
This report summarizes the Mineral Resource/Reserve estimates for the San Martin Project,
effective as of July 31, 2014 using the procedures which have been audited by both PAH and
WGM in the past. These procedures have been verified by David R. Gunning, P. Eng. who by
virtue of his education and experience is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and by
Joseph W. Campbell, P. Geo, who virtue of his education and experience is an independent
Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
3.1 DISCLAIMER
The reserves and resources presented in this report are based on the assumptions stated in the
report and the mathematical calculations of mine staff, audited by Mr Gunning and Mr.
Campbell, who have made sufficient checks of the work of mine staff to ensure that
procedures are being followed and calculations are correct.
This report or portions of this report are not to be reproduced or used for any purpose other
than to support the above noted purposes, without the authors’ and Starcore’s prior written
permission in each specific instance. Starcore does not assume any responsibility or liability
for losses occasioned by any party as a result of the circulation, publication or reproduction or
use of this report contrary to the provisions of this paragraph.
4. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION
4.1 LOCATION
The project is located northwest of Mexico City, some 50 km east of the City of Querétaro, in
the State of Querétaro. The mine is near the towns of Tequisquiapan and Ezequiel Montes,
and is immediately to the north of the town of San Martin, which has a population of
approximately 2,000 (Figure 1).
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4.2 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal, S.A. de C.V., a wholly owned Starcore subsidiary, holds
the mining concessions covering 6,236 ha at the San Martin Project in the State of Querétaro
(Figure 2). In addition there are 6755.6 ha held in concession Lote San Martin 4 which is
north and contiguous to the mining concessions, bringing total land holdings to 12,991.7 ha.
The San Martin Project presently consists of two underground mines, San José and San
Martin. The San Martin mine is approximately 700 m NNE of the San José mine and lies
predominantly below claims 1, 2, 4, and 5 in the table below. One 63 hectare parcel of
surface rights is a part of the property, known as “Terrenos” that covers the offices and mine
entrance. The rest of the property is overlain by surface rights rented from individuals and an
ejido (common land) based in the town of San Martin. The following table summarizes the
mining concessions:
There is a 3% royalty payable to CRM on claims 4,5, and 6 but to date no production has
come from the San Martin Fraccionamiento claims A, B, and C. There are currently no
reserves on these claims.
TABLE 1
San Martin Concession Information
ID number on map Concession Tenure Number Area (hectares)
1 San Martin 2 191134 190.7
2 San Martin 191423 132
3 La Trinidad 204824 2610.7
4 San Martin Frac. A 215262 37.1
5 San Martin Frac. B 215263 22.8
6 San Martin Frac. C 215264 3182.8
7 San Martin 3 215301 60
8 San Martin 4 221844 6755.6
16
5. ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE
AND PHYSIOGRAPHY
5.1 ACCESS
Access to the San Martin project, from Mexico City is some 160 km NW, on the Querétaro to
Mexico main highway to the city of San Juan del Rio, then 35 km NE to the town of Ezequiel
Montes then roughly 10 km from Ezequiel Montes to the town of San Martin. Paved highway
#4 which connects Queretaro with the tourist town of Bernal is within 2 km of the mine
entrance.
Access to the project, via Querétaro City, is also readily available from the Querétaro
international airport which is 30 km from the minesite and has daily flights from Dallas as
well as from Houston, Texas.
5.2 CLIMATE
The climate in the project area is semi-arid, characterized by relatively low rates of
precipitation. Average annual rainfall is 479 mm with about 95% occurring during the
summer months of June through October. The area has typical warm days with cool nights
occasionally dropping below freezing in the winter months due to the elevation of 2000
meters asl. The average annual temperature is 19°C.
5.3 LOCAL RESOURCES
The mine area is located along a prominent hill that rises above the generally flat countryside.
Much of the flat countryside is irrigated for the cultivation of grain crops. Some wineries as
well as cattle feedlots are present in the area. The hillside is covered with small scrub bushes
and grasses suitable only for forage grazing.
Most of the mine personnel are contract labour living in the nearby villages and towns of San
Martin and Ezequiel Montes. The city of Querétaro is a major urban center and the proximity
to Mexico City provides good support for mine and plant equipment. The mine produces
sufficient water for the plant at all times of the year but the water permit states that excess
water must be returned to the ground which occurs at the San Jose open pit.
17
5.4 INFRASTRUCTURE
The infrastructure at San Martin is typical of a small mining operation and the site includes
mine offices, repair shops, laboratory, warehouse and eating facilities for mine personnel
(Figure 3). The mine and mill are connected to the electric grid and the mine produces more
than enough water for milling operations. Electrical power is supplied by the Federal Power
Commission however the mine has a secondary electricity generating system with about
500kW capacity to supply power to the mill during a power failure and during the peak
supply times when prices are higher.
5.5 PHYSIOGRAPHY
The San Martin mine site is located at an elevation of 2,100masl. along the west margin of a
series of smooth prominent hills which rise some 400 m above the generally flat landscape
that predominates to the south. There are some farm and ranch lands in the immediate area of
the mine but most of the area is covered by small shrubs and cacti. The transition zone
between the hillside and valley provides the location for the tailings storage area. Several km
to the east, a monolith of dacite, known as the Peña de Bernal rises several hundred meters
above the local landscape. Roads have been constructed from local materials to access all of
the necessary mine and exploration areas.
6. HISTORY
The deposit was discovered in the eighteenth century and high grade mineralization
reportedly was exploited by the Spaniards for approximately 40 years, however no production
records exist. The first records show the Ajuchitlan Mining and Milling Company produced
an estimated 250 thousand tonnes at a grade of 15 g Au/t and 100 g Ag/t during 1900 to 1924.
In 1982, Mexico declared a 6,300 ha National Reserve over the area surrounding the Peña de
Bernal but by 1986 Luismin had reached an agreement to work in the National Reserve and
initiated an exploration program in 1988.
19
Mining began in 1993 at 300 tpd, and in early 1994, production began from open pit
operations on the San José deposit. Table 2 illustrates production for the period 1994
to July 31st, 2014.
TABLE 2
SAN MARTIN MINE, HISTORIC PRODUCTION (1994 to July 31st 2014)
Year Historic Annual Tonnes Grade Production oz. Eq. Au Au (g/t) Ag (g/t)
1993 1,707 - - - 1994 14,298 134,118 3.19 35 1995 17,068 146,774 3.54 39 1996 21,620 187,691 3.40 44 1997 24,570 219,827 3.27 43 1998 27,539 224,279 3.45 50 1999 29,624 242,295 3.46 46 2000 35,571 284,490 3.60 55 2001 38,068 287,520 3.74 66 2002 41,124 268,451 4.26 71 2003 42,692 276,481 4.29 82 2004 44,377 272,734 4.47 83 2005 38,543 282,392 3.89 65 2006 26,529 278,914 3.20 60 2007 29,606 252,400 3.34 49 2008 21,367 266,600 2.50 32 2009 21,696 272,856 2.44 33 2010 18,156 275,290 2.03 31 2011 23,736 296,845 2.14 38 2012 19,213 309,796 2.09 25 2013 24,424
306,941 2.58 24
Jan-July 2014 13,016
179,662 2.39 24
TOTAL 574,544 5,266,356
The San Jose open pit operated for several years until the operation made the transition to the
mining of the relatively higher grade “manto” style orebodies found near the contact with the
dacite flows and the underlying rocks. In the year 2000 the operation began mining some of
the tronco deposits down to depth such that now there are predominantly tronco deposits
being mined.
The mine operated at 846 tpd based on the August 2013 to July 2014 period, using
mechanized cut and fill mining using single boom jumbos, 3.5 yard scooptrams and 10 to 20
tonne haulage trucks. Conventional drills and slushers are used in some of the narrower
mineralized zones. There is a small amount of production from open cuts on the San Martin
vein.
20
7. GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND MINERALIZATION
The mineralization at San Martin occurs in a tabular breccia zone striking northeast and
dipping 10° to 90°SE (Figure 4 shows the mine workings along with the local geology). It
occurs within Upper Cretaceous black limestones and calcareous shales of the Soyatal
Mexcala Formation and varies in width from 1 to 17 m but averages about 4 m (Figure 5).
The breccia zone appears in a structural window on the western hillside which is composed
primarily of a Tertiary Rhyolite/Dacite.
The San Martin zone appears to predate the late stage Tertiary dacitic flows which cover the
local hillsides but may be related to andesitic intrusive which form the Peña de Bernal and
have been seen in the deepest San Jose workings. The most developed area of the mine, the
San Martin area, has developed 400 meters down dip along a breccia structure formed at the
location where older limestones have been thrust upon younger shales.
To the north other predominantly manto deposits have been found along a more northerly
direction over several kilometres. The San Jose I, San Martin, and 28 orebodies or areas seem
to share the northeasterly strike whereas the San Jose II, 29, 30 and 31 areas have a more
northerly strike. Post-mineral faulting has resulted in vertical offsets up to 100 m and
horizontal offsets to 500 m along several major faults which form the boundaries for the
named orebodies or areas. The northern orebodies are all severely faulted into relatively small
pieces, faults are both low and high angles and are possibly related to the emplacement of the
rhyolite and dacite rocks above.
Past authors on the property felt that these orebodies were all related to one mineralization
event, with multiple pulses of solution that had been broken into seven separate bodies by
post mineral faulting. Recent experience indicates that more than one structure exists and it is
not known whether or not all of these structures were mineralized at the same time.
The breccia zone appears to have developed perpendicular to the direction of greatest stress
and parallel to the direction of compression. Locally the mineralization (Area San Martin and
Area 29) in the upper part of the vertical zone gradually arches to the (northwest in the case of
San Martin and west for Area 29) to form a horizontal, tabular zone that at the mine is termed
a manto while the more vertical portion is called the tronco. To date no tronco deposits have
been located north of Area 29.
22
Stratigraphic Column San Martin District
(Geology Department & Geology Institute U.A.S.L.P.)
Alluvium
Andesitic Conglomerate(5.6 ma Ar in Obsidian)
San Martin AndesitePeña de Bernal microgranodiorite 8ma
Avalanche of brashes and lahar
Lienzo Charro avalanche of brashes
El Matón Ignimbrite
Cerro Azul Andesite
Cerro Azul Rhyolitic Ignimbrite
Epiclastics slime-loamy
Cerro Azul sandstone
Continental silts ofTertiary Inferior
Soyatal Formation
El Doctor Formation
Las trancas Formation
Age +-
Qa
Qcl
Tcga
Tasm
Tav
Tlch
Tim
Taca
Tica
Teca
Tc
Kss
Kid
Ktr
10.4 +-0.5
11.0 +-0.3
30.4 +-0.8
Figure. 5
23
8. DEPOSIT TYPE
The deposit has been described as an epithermal, probably a low sulphidation precious metal
(Ag-Au) type, related to a Tertiary dacitic/andesite dome. Recent work has failed to locate
the postulated dome and mineralization in the troncos may be more mesothermal or fault
related. Development in 2008 discovered a sub-parallel vein to the main San Martin breccias
with higher grade than the San Martin tronco breccias. This structure named the Guadalupe
vein seems to degrade to a series of narrow poorly mineralized veinlets in the upper levels
however at levels 8 through 10 it occurs as a strong 2 meter wide vein containing gold grades
greater than 3 grams per tonne and silver values greater than 20 grams per tonne.
Exploration in 2010 discovered the SAM vein which is a northerly trending relatively flat
vein which steepens to the west. It has been developed for over 400 meters along strike on
levels 5 and 6 of area 29. On level 5 parts of the vein are hosted in carbonaceous limestone.
In addition substantial stockwork mineralization is being exploited in the hangingwall of
some past producing tronco stopes. Most importantly in 2011 was the drilling and subsequent
drifting in some manto deposits in Area 29, west of the old production stopes.
In late 2012 exploration tested the extension of a known but misunderstood zone in the
footwall of the San Martin structure at its northern extremity. Drilling and drifting identified
a subvertical as well as a more horizontal vein and these veins were developed and exploited
recently producing significant tonnages at above average grades during the past fiscal year.
This area of the mine is referred to as the San Martin footwall.
Mineralization occurs as native gold, electrum, naumannite (Ag2Se) and argentojarosite
(AgFe3(SO4)2(OH)6) associated principally with quartz and lesser calcite. The silver
contained in argentojarosite is not recoverable with cyanidation. Evidence of multiple
intrusions of quartz with banding and drusy crystal masses observed in the brecciated zone are
indicative of open space deposition.
It appears that the northeast trending San Martin breccias tronco is related to a thrust fault of
limestone upon the younger shales (Rankin 2008). The structure varies in dip from 45
degrees in the lower levels to 70 degrees in the upper levels. Above Level 1 the tronco
flattens to the manto deposits which tend to occur along the limestone/shale contact overlain
by dacite and rhyolite flows above. This is similar to the structure present in the San Jose
deposit except that in the latter case the mantos appear to have been eroded as there are no
dacitic rocks capping the limestones. A general mine plan and section is shown as Figure 6.
25
Troncos with a more northerly alignment are present in orebodies San Jose II, and 29 and so
far the different direction has not been explained structurally. The mantos in Area 29 as well
as those found in Areas 30 and 31 seem to be aligned in this direction as well. It seems that
the Area 29 orebodies contain more selenium than other orebodies although this may only
relate to the fact that Area 29 has higher silver values and therefore more silver selenides (the
principal silver minerals).
In addition to the manto, tronco and vein style mineralization there is at least one instance
where ore grade mineralization has either been dragged or deposited along one of the
principal faults dividing the Area 28 from Area 29. There are also a few locations where
stockwork zones occur in the tronco and economic mineralization extends over widths of
more than 20 meters. These stockwork zones are becoming an important part of current mine
production.
The tronco style mineralization is similar to that found at Guanajuato where the Veta Madre
has been mined to depths of 400 meters over a 20 kilometer strike length and where locally
stockwork zones have resulted in stopes of 30 meter widths. Both Guanajuato and San Martin
have high silica content in the ore although the ore zone at Guanajuato is more vein like rather
than the breccias that typify San Martin.
9. EXPLORATION
Exploration at San Martin is a continuous process along the entire northerly trend of the
known breccia zones. The exploration is carried out ahead of development by drilling known
structures and drifting to prove the grade. Employee operated diamond drilling rigs initially
test selected targets, which are then followed by underground development that outlines
Proven Mineral Reserves. Target selection is done by geological mapping and projecting
known zones down dip and along faults and is aided by surface geophysical surveying which
has included magnetics, induced polarization and resistivity. The resistivity surveys have been
particularly successful in outlining the quartz breccia and several promising resistivity
anomalies, in Areas 32, 33 and 34 to the north of Area 31, remain to be tested. The discovery
of the SAM, Guadalupe and San Martin footwall veins are examples of significant recent
success from the ongoing underground exploration programs.
26
10. DRILLING
Drilling at San Martin is done by mine staff (drilling crews), and exploration/development
drilling is carried out continuously by three Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal, S.A. de C.V.
owned underground diamond drilling rigs, one of which can be modified to drill on surface.
The drill core is logged on site, split and sampled by geological staff and then assayed on site
by Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal, S.A. de C.V. personnel. During 2008 most drill
samples were also assayed in duplicate by Chemex, since 2009 the procedure has been
changed so that only significantly mineralized samples (generally those >1 g/t Au) are
analyzed in duplicate by commercial laboratories, currently Chemex in Guadalajara. Core
recovery, for the most part, is good, commonly exceeding 95% except for faulted areas where
recovery can at times be lower, especially if the hole diameter has been reduced from NQ.
Most of the core drilled at San Martin is NQ with occasional deep holes being reduced to BQ
somewhere along their length. Individual drill hole results are shown on the reserve maps for
each zone and are commonly referred to in the detailed block estimations.
During the period August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014 a total of 9,188 meters were drilled using
the 3 underground rigs. In addition a contract driller completed 4,283 meters of drilling on
surface.
11. SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSIS AND SECURITY
On a daily basis stope grades are estimated based on both chip and muck samples and then on
a monthly basis reconciled to the doré shipped to refineries including the plant tailings grade.
Chip channel samples are collected along lines perpendicular to structures at 1.5 meter
intervals. Based on these sample results the ore zone is painted up for the miners to follow.
The shape of the painted area can be somewhat irregular and has resulted in apparent dilution
of between 15 to 50 percent. Roughly ten percent of this dilution is estimated to be due to
overmucking the previously placed fill.
For the purpose of estimating reserves the most proximal line of channel samples is used. The
shape of the ore zone is smoothed to a mineable shape and the blasted muckpile is also
sampled. Experience has shown that mill feed is 10% higher tonnage than blasted muck due
to overmucking of waste fill.
27
Drill holes are sampled according to their mineral content. After logging the core, sample
locations are indicated by geologists and the sample intervals are sawn in half. The half
samples are sent to the lab for assay. If the drill hole intersects ore grade material it may be
used to provide probable reserves or resources. Both standards and blanks are inserted into the
sample stream by the geological department and significant samples are duplicated by either
ALS Chemex in Guadalajara, or iPL/Inspectorate in Vancouver.
The mine has been awarded the Mexican Quality Award which is similar to International
Standards ISO 9001 for quality control in the overall mining operations.
All of the drill and channel samples are collected under the direction of the Geological
Department whom also deliver the samples to the lab tagged and bagged. In general
individual samples do not exceed 1.5m in length and are generally not less than 0.2 m. All
samples are prepared and assayed in the on-site assay lab. David Chiu of Inspectorate iPL
laboratories in Vancouver has inspected the mine lab facilities and provided procedures, flux
recipes and feedback on all laboratory equipment. The assay results are recorded by
geological staff and in the case of diamond drill core samples with over 1 gram per tonne
gold, duplicate pulps are sent to a commercial lab for check assays.
Samples are crushed, split and pulverized at the mine assay laboratory to produce a 30 g
representative pulp sample for fire assaying with gravimetric finishing. The geologists insert
occasional standards into the sample stream as well as blanks. This information as well as the
commercial lab check samples provide quality control on the assay results. In general
Starcore has made many minor improvements to laboratory procedures such that the lab
appears to now be providing consistent quality results.
28
12. DATA VERIFICATION
12.1 PENBER LABORATORY
The on-site laboratory (PENBER Lab) has undergone numerous improvements since Starcore
took over management of the operation in February 2008. Comparison of the on-site
laboratory to commercial laboratories is conducted on an ongoing basis. The results of this
analysis are presented in the July 1, 2009 NI43-101 report and for both gold and silver the
variability of results were acceptable for a producing mine, thus supporting confidence in the
results of the on-site lab.
12.2 GEOSTANDARDS REVIEW
The results of this analysis are presented in the July 1, 2009 NI43-101 technical report and the
reader is directed to this report for further information. The results of this review are
considered acceptable for a producing mine.
12.3 SPECIFIC GRAVITY TESTING
A selection of drill core from the San Martin and Guadalupe veins was tested for the July 1,
2009 reserve and resource estimate. A mean specific gravity of 2.55 was recommended and
continued measurement of mineralized core intervals showed this value to be acceptable.
Subsequent testing more recently has shown values between 2.6 and 2.8. These new data
have resulted in the use of 2.6 for estimates in 2014.
13. MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLURGICAL TESTING
The San Martin Mill is a conventional cyanidation mill using the Merrill-Crowe process for
gold ores with a high silver content. The mill has a rated capacity of 900 tpd. The mill
flowsheet employs two stage fine crushing and grinding with both ball mills and a vertical
regrind mill followed by total ore cyanide leaching in a CCD circuit. Gold and silver is
recovered with zinc precipitation and is refined on site to doré. In the previous fiscal year
August 2012 to July 2013, throughput was at 842tpd with recoveries of 79% for gold and
54% for silver. In fiscal year August 2013 to July 2014 through put was 846tpd with
recoveries of 87.1% for gold and 52.7% for silver.
29
During the period June and July of 2012 the mill ran into gold recovery problems that were
resolved by ceasing the mining of carbonaceous ores. Recoveries were 75.2% and 60.5% of
contained ROM Au grade in June and July 2012 respectively. Investigations were carried out
to determine how to treat the carbonaceous ore, with two possible solutions:
1. A low temperature roast of the carbonaceous ore.
2. A conversion to Carbon in Leach processing.
The company is currently evaluating the Capital Cost requirements for either option before
implementing and until that time the carbonaceous components of the reserve will not be
mined. Since that period recoveries for gold and silver have met or exceeded the recovery
parameters used in this estimation.
14. MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES
Total Inferred Mineral Resources at the San Martin mine (excluding San Pedrito), are 898,049
tonnes at an approximate grade of 2.15 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag. These estimates are lower than
the Inferred Resources reported in 2013 (1,005,000 tonnes at 2.17 g/t Au and 20 g/t Ag). All
areas were reassessed in 2013 and 2014 for accessibility and for confirmation of exploration
results and geological interpretation. This affected all mine areas, but most losses were offset
by the increases in new areas. In addition several areas, including the 2013 resources in the
San Martin Footwall and Area 29, were converted to reserves and in some cases mined.
Inferred Mineral Resources are not known to the same degree of certainty as Mineral
Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. No reserves or resources have
been defined north of Area 31.
In general Inferred Resources are the projection of known ore reserves, incorporating their
plunge directions based on previous mining. These blocks are extended until they contact
known area defining faults or up to 100 meters from known information. For these resources
an average grade of past production of tronco and manto deposits within the same zone is
used.
As resources are converted to reserves or determined not to exist, the Inferred Resources are
decreased accordingly. As mining development is extended into Inferred Resources, the
projection of these zones continues as per the procedures in the previous paragraph, and
30
Inferred Resources are increased accordingly. In cases where new zones are discovered by
drilling or underground drifting, new blocks of Inferred resources are generated.
Table 3 below summarizes Mineral Resources by area at the San Martin mine property as of
July 31, 2014.
TABLE 3
San Martin Mine Inferred Mineral Resources (as of July 31, 2014)
Inferred Resources Tonnes Au Ag Oz Au Eq. SAN JOSE I 73,510 2.22 7 5,501
SAN JOE II 18,900 2.31 31 1,693
SAN MARTIN 400,248 2.05 11 28,532
SAN MARTIN FOOTWALL 104,058 2.78 12 9,918
GUADALUPE 150,971 1.30 47 9,798
28 AREA 59,638 2.25 22 4,941
29 AREA 67,319 3.07 76 9,177
30 AREA 23,405 3.30 63 3,209
31 AREA 0 - - 0
TOTAL INFERRED 898,049 2.15 24 72,770
Mineral Resources are additional to Mineral Reserves. Inferred Mineral Resources are not
known with the same degree of certainty as Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated
economic viability.
The Inferred Mineral Resources are estimated by projecting typical structural geometry within
the confines of the various geological structures into untested areas. The thickness of the
structure and the gold and silver grades assigned to these resources was previously based on
the average of past production stopes within similar structures within each mine area. In 2010
a change was made to reflect grades from stopes that are proximal to the Inferred blocks. This
resulted in a significant decrease in the grade of metals for the Inferred ore at that time but
better reflects the reality of the structures.
In some cases, when there are various blocks below or above the block of the projected
Inferred Mineral Resources, the average of their grade and thickness is used in the estimate.
However, in other cases, statistics for gold and silver that have been produced through
diamond drillholes and through development are applied.
31
15. MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATES
15.1 GENERAL
Total Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the San Martin mine as of July 31, 2014
estimated by mine staff and reviewed by David R. Gunning, P. Eng., and Joseph W.
Campbell, P. Geo. are 486,586 tonnes at a grade of 2.31 g Au/t and 19 g Ag/t (Table 4).
This total includes Proven reserves of 179,589 tonnes grading 2.33 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag along
with Probable reserves of 306,997 tonnes grading 2.30 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag. In addition to
this reserve is 181,546 tonnes at a grade of 2.98 g/t Au and 32 g/t Ag which is hosted in
carbonaceous limestone and needs some capital investment in the mill to enable normal
recovery until the costs and recoveries are better understood this material is uncategorized at
the moment. There exists sufficient non- carbonaceous ore to operate for two full years,
which should be enough time to enable the installation of the required metallurgical changes
in the plant.
The estimation methods used Luismin/Goldcorp have been retained to some degree, but there
have been SUBSTANTIAL changes to determination criteria for Proven and Probable
reserves, and changes to dilution rates to account for the mining of Tronco ore zones and
remnant ore (both hanging wall and strike and dip extensions) versus the dominance of Manto
ore mined in the past.
Relative to the Manto ore the Tronco ore is thinner and stepper dipping which has resulted in
higher dilution during mining due to the majority of the ore being mined by cut and fill
methods versus the room and pillar method in the thicker flat lying Mantos. For remnant ore
there is a greater dilution associated with minimal widths for mechanical equipment, which at
times exceeds the remnant ore widths. There is also additional dilution associated with
breaking and mucking ore next to unconsolidated fill from past mining.
Cutting of some high grade samples has been implemented to try to better predict mined
grades. As well grades were lowered in some ore blocks with sufficient production history to
establish the lower grades.
Modifications have also been made to the determination of Probable and Proven ore. Most
notably Proven ore is only calculated for blocks above mine development, whereas in the past
Proven ore was also extended below workings.
32
A change in 2013 to reserve estimation was the increasing of the cut-off grade to 2.00 g/t gold
equivalent. This reflected the gold price of $1300/oz used then versus a price of $1600/oz in
the 2012 estimate. In 2014 changes to a $1250 gold price and increases in mining costs ($74/t)
have increased the cut-off to 2.2 g/t gold equivalent.
The authors believe that the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates fairly represent
the Mineral Reserve/Mineral Resource potential of the property.
The previous NI43-101 compliant estimation as of July 31, 2013 prepared by David Gunning
P. Eng. reported total reserves of 705,998 tonnes at a grade of 2.53 g Au/t and 23.6 g Ag/t.
This total included Proven reserves of 334,271 tonnes grading 2.40 g/t Au and 25 g/t Ag
along with Probable reserves of 371,727 tonnes grading 2.61 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag. In addition
to this reserve 174,683 tonnes at a grade of 2.67 g/t Au and 27 g/t Ag was reported but not
categorized as reserve as it is hosted in carbonaceous limestone and needs capital investment
in the mill to enable normal metal recovery. This capital has not yet been committed.
15.2 RESERVE APPROACH
Proven Reserves are estimated from blocks which are bracketed by at least two development
headings that define the strike length of the ore block. Block dimensions are made by drawing
the cutoff grade boundary on the most recent channel sample results. The grade, length and
width are tabulated and the volume is determined by projecting to the next development
heading. A specific gravity of 2.6 is used (see section 12.3) to calculate the tonnage based on
the areas measured (in AutoCAD) on the vertical long sections created.
Cutting of high grade values in the Guadalupe vein blocks was done for gold values over 20
grams per tonne which were cut to 20 grams.
The San Martin minesite maintains detailed cost data for the San Martin mine operation.
Based on the first half of 2014 operating year the following assumptions and parameters are
made:
• A gold price of $1250 per ounce.
• A silver price of $19.23 per ounce.
• First half 2014 operating costs of US$74 per metric dry tonne.
• Average metallurgical recoveries of 86% for gold and 52% for silver.
33
• Using the above price and cost assumptions the resultant calculated cutoff grade is
approximately 2.2 g/t Au equivalent.
• Specific gravity of 2.6 has been applied to all calculated mineralized volumes.
• Mining dilution is applied to insitu mineralized zones, and recovery factors are applied
to these diluted blocks using the following factors:
o Mining dilution of 10% of zero grade in horizontal mineralized zones (Mantos)
mined by room and pillar.
o Mining dilution of 10% of zero grade in steep dipping mineralized zones
mined by cut and fill. This dilution factor is modified by first applying a
minimum 2 meter mining width to narrow zones. This has resulted in up to
30% dilution for narrower cut and fill vein style (Tronco) mineralized zones.
o Grade of zones are further modified as required to reflect historical production
grades.
o Remnant pillars left in room and pillar stopes are typically 20% of the total
tonnage, i.e. 80% extraction. This recovery factor has been applied to sub-
horizontal mineralized zones.
In addition to these factors reserve grades are lowered to reflect mined grades in ore blocks
that have sufficient historical production to establish that mined grades are lower than
estimated from exploration data. The reserves and resources estimated in this report are based
on data available up until July 31, 2014.
Some Probable Mineral Reserves are defined primarily by diamond drilling. In these cases a
square is drawn on the vertical longitudinal section with the drill hole centered on the square.
The shape and size of the block depends upon the geological interpretation with the maximum
size of the block based on the thickness of the vein as follows:
Vein Thickness Size of Block Less than 1.0 m 25 x 25 m 1.0 to 1.5 m 35 x 35 m Greater than 1.5 m 50 x 50 m
In cases where drill hole influences overlap for a given ore surface, or when sufficient drill
holes are available to extend the ore surfaces from mine development to the drill hole
intersections, then larger blocks of Probable Reserve were interpreted. Drillhole blocks, based
on drill hole assays above the cutoff grade, are classified as “probable reserves”.
34
The terminology used at the minesite to designate Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
and Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves is in general agreement with the CIM Standards as
adopted in NI 43-101.
The following criteria are used by the minesite to classify Proven and Probable Mineral
Reserves. Guidelines for the distance for vertical projections for Proven and Probable
Reserves above an ore heading for Tronco ore, and laterally for Mantos ore are defined as:
Block Length Maximum Vertical Projection for
Proven Mineral Reserves Maximum Vertical Projection for
Probable Mineral Reserves Less than 15 m (50 ft) 4 m (12 ft) above heading 8 m (24 ft)
15 to 45 m (50 to 148 ft) 8 m (24 ft) above heading 16 m (52 ft)
45 to 85 m (148 to 279 ft) 16 m (52 ft) above heading 32 m (105 ft)
Greater than 85 m (279 ft) 20 m (65 ft) above heading 40 m (135 ft)
Blocks are adjusted to reflect faults, old workings and/or vein intersections.
At the San Martin mine, where horizontal mineralized bodies “mantos” and vertical
mineralized bodies “troncos” are present, Mineral Resource/Mineral Reserves estimation
parameters were designed similar to the way that estimations were carried out in the San
Dimas District with the following exceptions:
• Present minimum cutoff grade is based on US$74.00/t milled;
• Proven Mineral Reserves are those with data points at close intervals with a well defined
geological character;
• Probable Mineral Reserves are those with less confidence in geological continuity;
• Probable Mineral Reserves indicated by diamond drilling are those for which the tonnage
and mineral grades are estimated in part by grades of samples of diamond drillholes and
reasonable geological projections.
All these changes improved the reconciliation of grade for reserves versus grade through the
mill, but there were still discrepancies, with production grade generally lower than reserve
grade. For 2011 and 2012 reserves the Guadalupe and San Martin veins were modified based
on production grade over the past year with the addition of appropriate dilution to bring the
reserve grade and tonnage more in line with the calculated mined grade and recovered tonnes
from these zones. All dilution in the calculations was considered at zero grade. These dilution
parameters have been continued for the 2014 reserve estimate.
35
TABLE 4 San Martin Mine Summary of Ore Reserves
(as of July 31, 2014)
ZONE TONNES Au g/t Ag g/t Oz Au Eq
AREA SAN JOSE
MINERAL PROVEN 21,274 2.10 12 1,561
MINERAL PROBABLE 23,389 2.01 10 1,632
TOTAL: 44,662 2.06 11 3,192
SAN JOSE II
PROVEN 1,410 2.07 10 101
PROBABLE 9,290 2.39 35 876
TOTAL: 10,700 2.35 32 977
SAN MARTIN Hangingwall
PROVEN 56,258 2.06 26 4,431
PROBABLE 108,979 1.93 19 7,756
TOTAL: 165,237 1.97 21 12,186
SAN MARTIN Footwall
PROVEN 57,858 2.37 9 4,670
PROBABLE 65,549 2.61 14 5,958
TOTAL: 123,407 2.50 12 10,628
GUADALUPE PROVEN 3,545 1.84 16 238 PROBABLE 92,952 1.65 26 6,115
TOTAL: (all carbonaceous) 96,497 1.66 25 6,352
AREA 28
PROVEN 25,716 2.27 10 1,998
PROBABLE 66,320 2.25 20 5,435
TOTAL: 92,036 2.25 17 7,434
AREA 29
PROVEN 26,040 3.97 89 4,474
PROBABLE 102,078 4.20 24 15,002
TOTAL: (66% carbonaceous) *128,118 4.15 37 19,476
MILL STOCKPILE
PROVEN (25% carbonaceous) *7,475 2.04 37 626
TOTAL
PROVEN *199,576 2.42 26 18,098
PROBABLE *468,556 2.52 21 42,774
TOTAL: *668,132 2.49 22 60,872
Total Non-carbonaceous 486,586 2.31 19 40,591
* Note that these totals include some blocks of carbonaceous mineralization. The overall totals in the text have been broken down excluding carbonaceous mineralization and the reserve blocks with
36
carbonaceous material are summarized in Appendix I. At this time the authors prefer to omit this material from the reserve totals until such a time as capital budgets are in place to enable successful treatment in the San Martin plant.
Longitudinal sections and plans showing the Proven and Probable Reserves and the Inferred
Mineral Resources are posted on the company website www.starcore.com.
For the 2011 reserve calculation (July 31, 2011), the production records for the period August
1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 were looked at in detail and production was divided between ore
derived from ore reserve blocks, ore mined from dilution and overbreak, and extensions of ore
blocks (both along strike and across strike), and production derived from outside of reserve
blocks. This showed that 50% of production tonnage had occurred outside of Ore Reserves,
and a further 14% was due to overbreak and extensions to Reserves, leaving 36% of
production tonnage coming from classified reserves. It was a stated goal of the 2011 Reserve
report to improve the predictability of production tonnage.
Reconciliation between the reserves of the July 31 2011 estimate at the San Martin mine with
mine production during the period August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 showed that 62% of
production came from stopes and an additional 33% from dilution and extensions. The results
for reconciliation during the period August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013 showed that 86% of
production came from stopes. Results for the period ending July 31, 2014 are shown below in
Table 5.
TABLE 5
Summary Comparison of 2013 Proven and Probable Reserves with Mine Production, from August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014
Category Tonnes Au g/t Ag g/t % T % Au % Ag
July 31 2013 Reserves 705,998 2.53 24
August 1 2013-July 31 2014 Production
308,610 2.55 24 100% 100% 100%
Production from Ore Reserve 252,950 2.60 24 82% 84% 82%
This table shows production from reserves has reached a plateau (82% versus 86% in 2013) of
production tonnage and grade occurring from inside the ore reserves. Given the fluidity of
reserves in an active mine environment this rate is unlikely to improve. It should be noted that
over 17% of production came from blocks that are now in the 2014 reserves, and less than 1%
of production came from non reserve areas.
37
As with any active mining operation ore reserves are not static. Usual progression for reserves
would see considerable replacement of reserves by bringing forth Inferred Resources and
making new discoveries, and losing some estimated ore due to changes discovered during
development and mining of the ore blocks and loss of ore due to mining conditions.
These conditions are also in place at the San Martin Mine. In a normal mine environment
factoring of these variables would allow for a proper reconciliation of what was previously
estimated. In the case of the San Martin Mine several complicating factors have made it more
difficult to determine reconciliation from the previous resource. These include:
1. Changes to Proven and Probable Ore Parameters, including:
a. Dilution factors
b. Block parameters and confidence levels
2. Mining and milling ore without documentation of reserves. This commonly happens
when blocks are found and mined between annual reporting periods
3. Insufficient previous recording of reconciliation to provide a history of ore recovery to
help develop the procedures and parameters to factor reconciliation calculations
Changes made to the July 31, 2011 reserve estimate resulted in a marked improvement in the
discrepancy between reserve grade and production grade, and further improvement was noted
for the 2012 and 2013 reports. This year’s estimate should see a continuation of the high
reconciliation rate. Table 6 shows a more detailed breakdown of the production grade
reconciliation inside the reserve during the August 1 2013 to July 31, 2014 period related to
the reserve estimated for similar areas in 2013.
From this table it can be seen that for total yearly production grade determination of reserve
blocks is improving in both gold and silver in comparison to past years. But for specific ore
blocks, particularly for silver, there are still large discrepancies reserve grades and production
grades.
The authors have reviewed in detail the methods used to estimate the Mineral Reserves and
Resources at the San Martin mine, and are of the opinion that the estimated Mineral Reserves
and Resources, stated in this report, fairly represent the tonnage and grade of the mine.
Sufficient reserve and resources are indicated in this report to keep the mine in production for
several years. The current reserve estimation procedures and the increase in awareness of
reconciliation with proper documentation of recovery and loss factors now provide a solid
foundation for mine planning to ensure the mine returns sufficient metal to remain viable
38
TABLE 6 Grade Reconciliation of August 1 2013 to July 31 2014 Mine Production
Taken from the July 2013 Proven and Probable Reserves by Reserve Area
RESERVE AREAS
Production from previous Reserve August 1, 2013 to July
31, 2013 Expected
Reserve Grades
% of Actual Grade Mined vs Reserve Grade
TONS Au Ag Au Ag Au Ag SAN MARTIN HANGINGWALL
SMB3600-1 1,212 2.23 7 2.75 4 81% 165%
SMB1600-1 365 1.20 4 1.90 14 63% 28%
SMB2400-5 3,793 3.29 28 3.54 10 93% 268%
SMB2600-1 12,759 3.69 26 3.77 39 98% 65%
SMB2600-2 4,957 2.69 20 2.71 6 99% 307%
SMB4400-1 14,924 2.28 15 3.54 10 65% 141%
SMB4600-1 16,324 2.14 14 2.60 4 82% 335%
SMB3600-1 7,846 2.18 18 2.75 4 79% 433%
SMB2400-1 3,956 3.05 26 1.91 9 160% 289%
SMB2200-1 11,033 2.68 22 2.58 25 104% 90%
SMB2200-2 9,076 2.72 13 2.58 25 105% 51%
Subtotal 86,245 2.65 19 2.96 16 90% 116% SAN MARTIN FOOTWALL
SM3200-2 26,320 2.01 15 1.73 20 116% 76%
SM3200-1 3,469 1.81 23 1.73 20 104% 111%
SM4000-1 1,784 2.04 12 2.62 45 78% 27%
SM4000-2 5,386 2.22 18 2.04 35 109% 53%
SM4200-1 265 1.42 20 1.94 20 73% 102%
SM6200-2 16,391 3.33 46 6.26 84 53% 55%
SM6000-1 6,678 1.78 19 2.10 20 85% 91%
SM6000-2 19,559 3.89 47 4.66 82 83% 57%
SM5000-2 17,181 3.77 52 3.36 54 112% 98%
SM8200-1 27,907 2.01 15 2.02 13 100% 120%
SM8000-1 19,339 2.10 13 1.98 14 106% 90%
Subtotal 144,279 2.63 28 2.96 39 89% 72% AREA 28
283057-1 209 1.84 7 1.84 10 100% 72%
284031-1 2,255 1.74 33 2.38 32 73% 101%
283103-1 15,447 2.33 9 1.74 15 134% 62%
Subtotal 17,911 2.25 12 1.82 17 124% 71% AREA 29
295096C-1 715 2.70 21 3.37 86 80% 24%
295119C-1 863 2.07 30 4.82 336 43% 9%
296095-1 2,937 2.18 38 3.49 48 62% 79%
Subtotal 4,515 2.24 34 3.72 109 60% 31% TOTAL 252,950 2.60 24 2.90 31 90% 77%
39
15.3 DEFINITIONS
The classification of mineral resources and mineral reserves used in this report conforms with
the definitions provided in the final version of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”),
which came into effect on February 1, 2001, and revised on December 11, 2005. We further
confirm that, in arriving at our classification, we have followed the guidelines and standards
adopted by the Council of the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum
(“CIM”). The relevant definitions for the CIM Standards/NI 43-101 are as follows:
A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of diamonds, natural, solid, inorganic or fossilized organic material including base and precious metals, coal, and industrial minerals in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drillholes. An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics, can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drillholes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed. A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drillholes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity.
40
A Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A Mineral Reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined. A Probable Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of an Indicated, and in some circumstances a Measured Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A Proven Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction is justified.
16. MINING OPERATIONS
The San Martin operation consists of underground mining and surface milling facilities with a
current daily capacity averaging 842 tpd. The San Martin Mine is economically a gold mine
with enough silver content that the plant is technically a silver plant. In the period August 1
2013 to July 31, 2014 the mill processed 308,610 tonnes with a calculated head grade of 2.55
g/t gold and 24 g/t silver.
The main mine access is by tunnels and ramps with the main portal located less than 300 m
from the mill site. Ventilation is provided through robins raises by surface mounted exhaust
fans and aided by natural means. The mine employs mechanized cut-and-fill using waste rock
from development to backfill stoping areas. During the last few years some narrow structures
have been stoped using modified resuing techniques which have helped reduce dilution while
providing backfill without haulage costs. The ore is transported from the stopes with load
haul dump equipment to loading ramps or ore passes for loading of highway type dump trucks
with capacities of 8 to 16 tonnes depending on the ramp size, for haulage to the mill. Ramps
are typically 10% but in 2008 the gradient of ramps was increased to 12%.
More than 50 percent of mine development and production is by 3 single boom jumbos with
the remainder by conventional jack-leg drills. Stopes use mechanized and conventional cut
and fill using pivoting ramps and most blast holes are sub-horizontal. In stopes with widths
greater than 5 meters pillars are left to support the ground. Pillars commonly consist of 15%
41
of the original reserve. The use of rockbolting has increased in recent years for rock support
but shotcrete continues to be the principal method of providing additional rock support,
particularly in the manto areas. The shotcrete is applied with mobile units equipped with a
mixer, pump and an articulated application arm.
The San Martin mine operates with a combination of contractors and employees. Most of the
hourly workers are contracted through the union or syndicate, the mine has a good
relationship with the union and has seen significantly fewer labour issues than most other
mines in Mexico.
17. RECOVERY METHODS
The San Martin Mill is a conventional cyanidation mill using the Merrill Crowe recovery
process, with a rated capacity of 900 tpd. The mill flowsheet employs two stage fine crushing,
grinding is also two stage with both ball mills and a tower mill followed by total ore cyanide
leaching in a CCD circuit. Gold and silver is recovered with zinc precipitation and is refined
on site to doré.
In the period August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014 the mill achieved an average throughput of 846
tpd with recoveries of 87.1% for gold and 52.7% for silver. The gold recovery has rebounded
from the recovery problems with carbonaceous ore in 2012 (78% recovery) and is back to
levels seen in previous years.
A tailings filtration plant to provide for dry handling and stacking of the tailings was installed
in 2005 and the recommendations by AMEC have been implemented and the tailings dam is
being reinforced to better standards.
The San Martin flowsheet has been shown in previous reports by WGM.
18. PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE
The infrastructure at San Martin is typical of a small mining operation and the site includes
mine offices, repair shops, laboratory, warehouse and eating facilities for mine personnel
(Figure 3). The mine and mill are connected to the electric grid and the mine produces more
than enough water for milling operations. Electrical power is supplied by the Federal Power
42
Commission however the mine has a secondary electricity generating system with about
500kW capacity to supply power to the mill during a power failure and during the peak
supply times when prices are higher.
19. MARKET STUDIES AND CONTRACTS
Gold and silver doré in the form of bullion that is produced from the mines was shipped
primarily to the Peñoles refinery in Torreon, Mexico. Recent doré shipments have been made
to Johnson Matthey in Brampton, Ontario and to Valcambi refinery in Switzerland as well as
refineries in Turkey and Italy to mitigate the potential impact of unrelated problems that could
arise using a lone refinery such as strikes or other issues. The terms of the JM refinery
contract provide for payment of 99.5% of the gold (depending on the gold content of the doré,
99.25% if <5%Au, 99.75% if >5% Au) and silver content with treatment charges of
$0.25/troy oz of doré and refining charges of US$1.00/troy oz of gold. Payment is due
20 days following receipt of the bullion at the refinery and based on the spot price 2 days after
receipt.
The San Martin doré is a clean product with few impurities. There are numerous refineries
around the world available to refine the doré.
Starcore had a gold hedge in place that was scheduled to expire in January 2013. It
effectively specified that 1140 ounces of gold were sold each month at a price of $731 per
ounce. This hedge was bought out by Starcore in the second quarter of 2012, and since then,
all gold production is un-hedged. In addition the mine and Starcore have paid back the capital
borrowed to purchase the mine.
20. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, PERMITTING AND SOCIAL OR
COMMUNITY IMPACT
20.1 GENERAL
In 2002 at the time of the Wheaton River acquisition of Luismin, the San Martin tailings had a
number of issues with the operation that required attention to reduce environmental risk and
eliminate the impact the tailings operation was having on the area. WGM reported that at the
time of their site visit in October 2004, “considerable progress had been made to correct the
43
deficiencies with the tailings operation and at the time of the visit in 2006 the required
modifications had been completed.”
The tailings at the San Martin operation are deposited by dump truck in several locations
along the berm in lifts of 30 centimetres. Roughly 5-10% of the tailings is deposited by
traditional wet method within the impoundment. The tailings impoundment is located in a
small valley along the flank of the hillside which enable the diversion of rainfall runoff as
well as the collection of water seepage water. A new lined collection pond was completed in
February 2009, the collected seepage is returned to the plant for process water. In late 2013
the practice of pumping the tailing supernatant directly to the plant avoiding the decant
system has further reduced cyanide concentrations in seepage collection.
In 2011 a permit amendment was received permitting the placement of tailings for an
additional 10 vertical meters of elevation. Recent estimates by AMEC indicate that the
permitted impoundment has a capacity of 10 additional years of operation at current
throughput.
20.2 TAILINGS DAM CONSTRUCTION AND SEEPAGE
A reinforcing berm of compacted fill was built along the downstream toe of the tailings dam
to increase the dam safety factor. The downstream side of the reinforcing berm has been
constructed at a 2:1 slope. A trench has been excavated and a French drain system constructed
on the downstream side of the dam to intercept seepage. The seepage is collected in a sump
for recycle back to the mill. The French Drain trench has been backfilled and the area is
being re-vegetated.
All of the tailings dam construction follows recommendations made by AMEC who visit the
site periodically to ensure that construction is adequate. A diversion ditch at the north end of
the pond has been completed and all final berms are being re-constructed of compacted tails
with waste rock rip-rap exteriors.
20.3 TAILINGS FILTRATION
A tailings filtration plant was completed and although commissioned in 2005, it has only been
significantly used since 2008. It employs four drum filters on the mill tailings flow to
produce a filtered tailings product for conveyance to the tailings dam. Following the
44
commissioning, the solution flow to tailings and the associated hydraulic heads and potential
for seepage has been substantially reduced.
The tailings filtration solution is being recycled directly back to the mill circuit and reduces
the reagent consumption and solution losses as well as the cost of solution pumping from the
tailings dam collection ponds.
21. CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS
Capital and operating budgets are prepared for each calendar year for the mine by mine staff.
These budgets are continuously reviewed against production to ensure profitability. For the
first half of 2014 operating year the average cost of production was $US 74 per tonne milled
including capital allowance. This cost includes all minesite administration.
Starcore has some additional admin costs for head office administration and these numbers
are well documented in the company’s financial statements which are filed quarterly on
SEDAR.com.
22. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Starcore International Mines Ltd. currently has only one operating mine and no other active
exploration projects therefore the best economic analysis of the operation can be reviewed in
the financials filed by Starcore. See quarterly and annual financial statements for Starcore
International Mines Ltd. on SEDAR.com.
23. ADJACENT PROPERTIES
There are not any other significant exploration projects or mines around the San Martin mine.
24. OTHER RELEVANT DATA AND INFORMATION
There is no other relevant information or explanation necessary to complete this technical
report.
45
25. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
The reserves and resources estimated in this report are based on data available up until
July 31, 2013. Based on the previously stated assumptions the estimation process has reached
the following conclusions:
• Total Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the San Martin mine as of July 31, 2014
estimated by mine staff and reviewed by David R. Gunning, P. Eng. are 486,586 tonnes
at a grade of 2.31 g Au/t and 19 g Ag/t (Table 5). This total includes Proven reserves of
179,589 tonnes grading 2.33 g/t Au and 17 g/t Ag along with Probable reserves of
306,997 tonnes grading 2.30 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag;
• The total Inferred Mineral Resources estimated as of July 31, 2014 for San Martin Mine
and not included in the Mineral Reserves stated above are about 898,049 tonnes at an
approximate grade of 2.15 g/t Au and 24 g/t Ag;
• The procedures used at San Martin to estimate the Mineral Reserves are reasonable and
fairly represent the tonnage and grade that can be expected from this operation;
• The procedures used at San Martin to estimate the Inferred Mineral Resources are
reasonable and the Inferred Resource estimate represents a reasonable expectation of
potential;
• Recent discoveries suggest that other new veins might be found.
• For the past 3 1/2 years production at San Martin has been at a rate of about
300,000/tonnes per year and for the previous 11 years prior to that at about 275,000
tonnes,
• Annual mine production and reserve grade appear to be stabilizing at over 2.0 g/t gold and
25 g/t silver, and can be expected to remain at these grades failing any new discoveries of
higher grade zones, which remains a strong possibility.
In recent years the mine had difficulties meeting production grade forecasts. This was partly
due to poor grade control practice and partly due to reserve estimation procedures that were
optimistic and that better reflected past production than current reserves. In recent years
careful reconciliation of the reserve blocks to production grades has been useful in redefining
the parameters and assumptions for future estimations, and bringing them more in line with
production. It may be discovered in 2015 that grade continues to be affected by higher
dilution due to thinner ore, irregular strike direction, strike discontinuity, and faulting within
Tronco and vein deposits that make up most of the estimated reserves. It may also be found
46
that drill indicated probable reserves do not adequately represent the true recoverable grade.
As production history and the structural controls of zones are better defined the dilution and
grade cutting factors must be updated to reflect this new understanding.
The development of accesses into the hangingwall stockwork zones of past producing tronco
stopes has resulted in substantial tonnages of good grade ore. These stopes have the potential
to contribute significant portions of monthly and yearly production.
Good potential exists for discovering new mineralized zones, as evidenced by the San Martin
footwall vein, both proximal and extensional from currently known structures, and for the
discovery of new unknown structures. Aggressive exploration is needed to continue to keep
ore reserves ahead of mine production.
The geology department has made some gains in the use of Surpac for 3D modelling and
plans are in place to utilize this software to better plan exploration drilling from surface and
underground. Focus needs to be maintained to continue with these programs.
26. RECOMMENDATIONS
Exploration and development at San Martin during the August 1 2013 to July 31 2014 period
was not sufficient to maintain the reserve tonnage, and new ore needs to be found in the
coming year to make up this shortfall. The average reserve grade appears to have stabilized,
reversing a trend of a continuing drop in grade from the last six or seven years. The need to
find additional above average grade reserves is still a constant concern, and the requirement to
control mine dilution to maintain reserve grade is still important to mine viability. Drilling
and exploration development programs are constantly evolving at the mine to try to meet the
requirement of providing a 2.5 g/t Au mill feed. Production in 2014 has averaged over the 2.5
g/t gold showing that this goal is attainable.
Previous reports made various recommendations for activities by the mining and geological
departments. Activities to improve operations were broken down into two main categories;
exploration and grade control. The past recommendations have only been partially
implemented and the testing of their validity should be addressed.
47
Work needs to continue to define the capital and operating costs associated with the treatment
of the carbonaceous mineralization as well as the estimation of the size and grade of all the
mineralized blocks of carbonaceous material.
“s\David R. Gunning\s”
David R. Gunning P. Eng.
DATED this 1st day of October, 2014
______________________________
Joseph W. Campbell
DATED this 1st day of October, 2014
48
27. REFERENCES
Minas Luismin S.A. de C.V.
Jan. 2002 Data Room Index (selected items were reviewed by WGM from the
following sections:
Section 5: Reserves and Resources, p. 18.
Sections 6.0 to 6.5: Operative Mines: Tayoltita, Santa Rita, San
Antonio, San Martin and La Guitarra, pp. 19 to 50.
Section 7: Exploration Projects, pp. 35 to 50.
Campbell, Joe
2011, 2012 Reserves and Resources of the San Martin Mine
Compañia Minera Peña de Bernal, S.A. de C.V.
2008 through 2013, Geological and Engineering Data
Gunning, David
2013 Reserves and Resources of the San Martin Mine
Rankin, Leigh
August, 2008 Structural Controls on Carbonate hosted Au-Ag Mineralisation-San
Martin Deposit, Central Mexico
Society of Economic Geologists
2001 Geology of the Santa Rita Ag-Au Deposit, San Dimas District
Durango, Mexico. SP8, pp. 39 to 58.
SRK Consulting
2002 Environmental Due Diligence Review of Active Mining Units Owned
and Operated by Minas Luismin S.A. de C.V.
Watts, Griffis and McOuat Limited
Feb, 2007 A Technical Review of the San Martin Project, Mexico for Starcore
International Ventures Ltd. and Investec Bank (UK) Limited by
Velasquez Spring P. Eng.
49
2005 An audit of the Mineral Reserves/Resources Tayoltita, Santa Rita, San
Antonio, and San Martin Mines as of December 31, 2004 for Silver
Wheaton Corp.
2002 Technical review letter report re: Project Armstrong, pp. 1 to 18.
2002 A Technical Review of the Tayoltita, Santa Rita, San Antonio, La
Guitarra and San Martin Operating Silver and Gold Mines in Mexico
for Wheaton River Mineral Ltd. revised June 5, 2002, amended
August 12, 2002.
Wheaton River Minerals Ltd.
2002 Trip Report by R. Gagnon.
2002 Trip Report by R.D. Bergen.
2002 Trip Report by Randy Smallwood.
50
CERTIFICATE To Accompany the Report titled
“Reserves and Resources in the San Martin Mine, Mexico as of July 31, 2014” for Starcore International Mines Ltd.
dated October 1, 2014 I, David R. Gunning, P. Eng. of 20356 42A Avenue, Langley, BC, hereby certify that: 1. I am currently employed as Chief Operating Officer, Starcore International Mines Ltd, 750-
580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 3B6
2. I am a graduate of the University of British Columbia having obtained the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science in 1983.
3. I have been employed in the mining industry continuously since 1983. Since 1983 I have performed resource and reserve estimating in several commodities, including extensive experience in gold and silver, copper, and tungsten deposits.
4. I am a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC and use the title of Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
5. I have read the definition of “Qualified Person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation of my professional association and past relevant work experience, I fulfil the requirements to be a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.
6. I have read the definition of “Independence” set out in NI 43-101 and certify that I do not fulfil the requirements of “Independence” for the purposes of NI 43-101.
7. I have been a co-author of previous reserve reports on the San Martin Mine in 2010 and 2011.
8. Prior to writing this report I visited the San Martin Mine almost every month since 2009.
9. I am not aware of any material fact or material change with respect to the subject matter of the Technical Report that is not reflected in the Technical Report, the omission to disclose which makes the Technical Report misleading.
10. I have read the instrument and Form 43-101F. The Technical Report titled “Reserves and Resources in the San Marin Mine, Mexico, as of July 31st, 2014”, which was prepared from information available as of July 31st, 2014, and has been prepared in compliance with the instrument and form. I am responsible for this report.
11. I consent to the filing of the Technical Report with and stock exchange and other regulatory authority and any publication by them, including electronic publication in the public company files on their websites accessible by the public, of the Technical Report.
“s\David R. Gunning \s” David R. Gunning, P.Eng.
51
To Accompany the Report titled
"Reserves and Resources in the San Martin Mine, Mexico as of July 31, 2014” for Starcore International Mines Ltd.
dated October 1, 2014 I, Joe Campbell, P. Geo. of #10 Barrhaven Crescent, Nepean, Ontario, hereby certify that: 12. I am currently employed as President, GeoVector Management Inc., 10 Green Street, Suite
312, Nepean, Ontario, Canada K2J 3Z6
13. I am a graduate of Acadia University having obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science – Honours in Geology in 1980.
14. I have been employed as a geologist continuously since April of 1980. Since 1980 I have performed resource and reserve estimating in several commodities, including extensive experience in gold and silver (epithermal and mesothermal), copper, zinc, nickel (sulphide and laterite) and uranium deposits.
15. I am a member of the Association of Professional Geologists of Ontario and use the title of Professional Geologist (P.Geo.).
16. I have read the definition of “Qualified Person” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and certify that by reason of my education, affiliation of my professional association and past relevant work experience, I fulfill the requirements to be a “Qualified Person” for the purposes of NI 43-101.
17. I have read the definition of “Independence” set out in National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and certify that I fulfill the requirements of “Independence” for the purposes of NI 43-101.
18. I have been a co-author of previous reserve reports on the San Martin mine in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
19. Prior to writing this report I visited the San Martin Mine from August 18th to August 22nd in 2014.
20. I am not aware of any material fact or material change with respect to the subject matter of the Technical Report that is not reflected in the Technical Report, the omission to disclose which makes the Technical Report misleading.
21. I have read the instrument and Form 43-101F. The Technical Report titled “Reserves and Resources in the San Marin Mine, Mexico, as of July 31st, 2014”, which was prepared from information available as of July 31st, 2014, and has been prepared in compliance with the instrument and form. I am fully responsible for this report.
22. I consent to the filing of the Technical Report with any stock exchange and other regulatory authority and any publication by them, including electronic publication in the public company files on their websites accessible by the public, of the Technical Report.
“s\Joe Campbell \s” Joe Campbell, P.Geo.
APPENDIX I
RESERVE BLOCKS BY MINE AREA
No.BLOCK TONELADAS TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO AREAMETRICAS METRICAS mts. m2
SJ-1 4,026 2.68 10 2.14 789 367
SJ-2 5,705 2.12 6 2.04 1,173 406
SJ-4 11,543 1.89 15 2.00 2,286.00 788
Subtotal 21,274 2.10 11.64 2.04 1,704.24 1,561
SJ-3 12,277 2.12 6 2.04 2,524 873
SJ-5 11,112 1.89 15 2.00 2,199 759
Subtotal 23,389 2.01 10.28 2.02 2,370 1,632
TOTAL 44,662 2.06 11 2.03 4,074 3,192
MINA SAN MARTINCUERPO SAN JOSE
NIVELES 8 - SUPERFICIE
OzAuEqgrs/ton
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO AREAMETRICAS mts. m2
SJII-3 370 2.58 15 2.28 68 33
SJII-4 1,040 1.89 8 2.03 207 67
Subtotal 1,410 2.07 9.84 2.10 275 101
SJ-01 4,450 2.70 63 3.01 620 525
SJll-9 1,119 2.58 15 2.28 206 101
SJII-6 1,394 1.89 8 2.03 288 90
SJII-8 364 2.58 15 2.28 67 33
SJII-5 1,963 1.89 8 2.03 383 127
Subtotal 9,290 2.39 35 2.54 1,564 876
TOTAL 10,700 2.35 32 2.48 1,839 977
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
MINA SAN MARTINCUERPO SAN JOSE II
NIVELES 4 - SUPERFICIE
OzAuEqgrs/ton
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO ANCHO AREA VOLUMENMETRICAS mts. DILUIDO m2
SM3400-1 5,044 2.09 20 2.03 2.33 978 2282 390
SM4200-1 162 1.93 19 1.03 1.18 62 73 12
SM5000-1 2,560 2.94 77 2.88 3.31 350 1159 339
SM5200-1 3,848 2.37 88 3.74 4.30 405 1741 461
SM5200-2 1,775 2.68 44 2.60 2.99 269 803 192
SM7200-3 19,880 1.79 19 2.05 2.36 3816 8995 1,325
SM8000-1 22,990 2.08 15 4.10 4.72 2206 10403 1,712
Subtotal 56,258 2.06 26 3.05 3.51 8,085 25,456 4,431
SM5200-2 11,754 2.52 66 3.81 4.38 1214 5319 1,338
SM7000-1 10,004 2.09 20 2.03 2.33 1939 4527 773
SM7200-1 8,226 2.09 20 2.03 2.33 1594 3722 635
SM7200-4 22,336 2.10 5 6.90 7.94 1274 10107 1,560
SM7400-1 23,330 1.62 11 2.16 2.48 4250 10557 1,344
SM8200-5 6,559 1.79 4 2.10 2.42 1229 2968 390
SM8400-1 21,195 1.56 11 2.25 2.59 3706 9590 1,176
SM9400-1 2,385 1.64 9 1.85 2.13 507 1079 136
SM5000-3 3,189 2.80 74 2.84 3.27 442 1443 403
Subtotal 108,979 1.93 19 3.31 3.81 16,155 49,312 7,756
TOTAL 165,237 1.97 21 3.23 5.03 24,240 74,768 12,186
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
MINA SAN MARTIN 2014SAN MARTIN DEL ALTO
OzAuEqgrs/ton
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO ANCHO AREA VOLUMENMETRICAS mts. DILUIDO m2
SMB1600-1 1,110 1.20 14 2.41 2.77 181.2 502.20 51
SMB2200-1 1,633 2.51 5 2.19 2.52 293.4 738.93 136
SMB2200-2 3,306 2.12 18 2.63 3.02 494.6 1495.92 254
SMB2400-1 262 1.91 9 1.40 1.61 73.6 118.50 17
SMB2600-2 2,928 2.18 5 2.86 3.29 402.8 1324.81 213
SMB3600-1 3,546 2.17 4 1.46 1.68 955.6 1604.45 254
SMB4400-1 8,293 2.30 13 3.31 3.81 985.8 3752.45 665
SMB4600-1 7,011 2.05 6 1.87 2.15 1475.12 3172.25 481
SMB4600-2 3,927 1.64 5 1.18 1.36 1309.3 1776.72 217
SMB4600-3 1,440 2.30 9 1.24 1.43 456.8 651.40 112
SMB4600-5 1,024 1.65 9 1.63 1.87 247.2 463.38 59
SMB4600-6 1,225 3.47 6 2.25 2.59 214.2 554.24 140
SMB5400-1 12,586 2.83 13 3.31 3.81 1496.17 5695.17 1,226
SMB5600-1 5,495 2.48 5 1.37 1.58 1578.3 2486.61 451
SMB5600-2 2,957 2.65 9 1.63 1.87 713.9 1338.21 266
SMB5600-3 1,116 3.47 6 2.25 2.59 195.1 504.82 128
Subtotal 57,858 2.37 9 2.36 2.72 11,073 26,180 4,670
SMB1600-3 1,029 1.20 14 2.41 2.77 168 465.61 47
SMB2400-2 695 1.90 9 1.38 1.59 198.17 314.50 46
SMB2400-3 2,001 2.30 9 1.24 1.43 634.9 905.37 156
SMB2600-3 3,796 2.18 5 2.86 3.29 522.2 1717.52 276
SMB3400-1 865 2.66 197 1.25 1.44 272.2 391.29 158
SMB4400-2 36,093 2.83 13 3.31 3.81 4290.43 16331.52 3,516
SMB4600-4 1,686 2.30 9 1.24 1.43 534.9 762.77 132
SMB5400-2 12,962 2.30 13 3.31 3.81 1540.8 5865.06 1,040
SMB5600-5 2,692 2.49 5 1.37 1.58 773.02 1217.89 222
SMB5600-6 2,520 2.65 9 1.63 1.87 608.2 1140.07 226
SMB5600-7 1,212 3.47 6 2.25 2.59 212 548.55 139
Subtotal 65,549 2.61 14 2.94 3.38 9,755 29,660 5,958
TOTAL 123,407 2.50 12 2.67 3.59 20,828 55,840 10,628
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
MINA SAN MARTIN 2014SAN MARTIN DEL BAJO
OzAuEqgrs/ton
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO AREAMETRICAS mts. m2
GP13200-1 3,265 1.85 16 2.85 449 220
GP12200-1 280 1.71 17 2.00 61 18
Subtotal 3,545 1.8 16 2.78 510 238
GP13200-2 312 1.88 6 2.80 41 20
GP12200-2 573 1.70 6 2.95 72 33
GP14200-1 79,199 1.54 27 2.00 13,333 4,998
GP13400-1 2,020 1.00 3 2.00 400 68
GP13400-2 6,362 2.78 6 2.52 850 588
GP13200-3 1,403 2.10 54 2.75 189 132
GP12200-3 976 1.80 50 2.74 132 81
GP12200-4 2,108 2.50 25 2.90 287 196
Subtotal 92,952 1.7 26 2.08 15,304 6,115
TOTAL 96,497 1.7 25 2.11 15,814 6,352
MINA SAN MARTINGUADALUPE
NIVELES 13 - 11
OzAuEqgrs/ton
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO ANCHO AREA VOLUMENMETRICAS mts. DILUIDO m2
283103-1 21239 2.35 10 3.00 3.45 2836.36 10210.90 1,705
283057-1 4478 1.88 10 2.60 3.12 689.97 2152.71 294
Subtotal 25,716 2.27 10 2.93 3.39 3,526 12,364 1,998
284031-1 19263 2.36 34 1.26 1.45 6391.30 9260.99 1,789
281070-1 6787 1.84 27 2.50 2.88 1134.95 3262.98 494
281070-2 3278 2.18 27 2.50 2.88 548.23 1576.16 274
283103-2 31042 2.35 10 3.00 3.45 4145.60 14924.16 2,495
283057-2 5949 1.84 10 2.60 2.99 916.70 2860.10 383
Subtotal 66,320 2.25 20 2.38 2.74 13,137 31,884 5,435
TOTAL 92,036 2.25 17 3 2.92 16,663 44,248 7,434
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
MINA SAN MARTIN 2014CUERPO 28
OzAuEqgrs/ton
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO ANCHO AREA VOLUMENMETRICAS mts. DILUIDO m2
296095-1 3,003 2.20 56 3.03 3.48 390 1359 295
295095-2 6,595 5.87 19 3.43 3.94 757 2984 1,305
295119C-2 3,622 2.85 78 2.48 2.85 575 1639 471
295096C-1 9,191 4.21 73 3.90 4.49 927 4159 1,577
295119C-1 3,629 2.50 297 3.39 3.90 421 1642 825
Subtotal 26,040 3.97 89 3.41 3.92 3,070 11,783 4,474
297096-2 5,408 2.12 15 1.60 1.84 1330 2447 408
295095-3 10,385 3.26 13 4.06 4.67 1006 4699 1,158
296096-1 2,473 2.95 7 2.40 2.76 405 1119 243
295096C-3 4,707 2.13 13 1.00 1.15 1852 2130 353
295096C-4 9,199 3.73 9 2.74 3.15 1321 4162 1,143
295119C-3 18,643 6.34 29 2.40 2.76 3056 8436 4,068
294095C-2 7,794 2.13 10 4.63 5.32 662 3527 569
294095C-1 20,190 5.87 19 3.43 3.94 2316 9136 3,995
295095C-1 8,073 3.24 22 2.30 2.65 1381 3653 926
29P3-1 5,083 6.19 120 3.20 3.84 625 2300 1,314
29P1-1 10,123 2.07 30 3.00 3.60 1,327.70 4,580.57 825
Subtotal 102,078 4.20 24 2.96 3.42 15,284 46,189 15,002
TOTAL 128,118 4.15 37 3.05 3.53 18,353 57,972 19,476
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
MINA SAN MARTIN 2014CUERPO 29
OzAuEqgrs/ton
No.BLOCK TONELADAS Au Ag ANCHO ANCHO AREA VOLUMENMETRICAS mts. DILUIDO m2
295119C-2 3,622 2.85 78 2.48 2.85 575 1639 471
295096C-1 9,191 4.21 73 3.90 4.49 927 4159 1,577
295119C-1 3,629 2.50 297 3.39 3.90 421 1642 825
Subtotal 16,443 3.53 124 3.47 4.00 1,923 7,440 2,874
295096C-3 4,707 2.13 13 1.00 1.15 1852 2130 353
295096C-4 9,199 3.73 9 2.74 3.15 1321 4162 1,143
295119C-3 18,643 6.34 29 2.40 2.76 3056 8436 4,068
294095C-2 7,794 2.13 10 4.63 5.32 662 3527 569
294095C-1 20,190 5.87 19 3.43 3.94 2316 9136 3,995
295095C-1 8,073 3.24 22 2.30 2.65 1381 3653 926
Subtotal 68,606 4.72 19 2.89 3.33 10,589 31,043 11,055
TOTAL- 29 85,049 4.49 39 3.01 3.46 12,512 38,484 13,929
Guadalupe 96497 1.66 25 2.11 15814 6,352
TOTAL carbonaceous 181,546 2.98 32 2.53 1.62 28,327 38,484 20,281
MINERAL PROBADO
MINERAL PROBABLE
MINA SAN MARTIN 2014CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL CUERPO 29
OzAuEqgrs/ton